The Last Color
Introduction
Time and again, we at popcorn reviewss are hell bent on giving a few smaller films and makers the voice which may help them and their film. This is not a paid promotion but just a small token of love for a job well done. And so I have just finished watching The Last Color on Amazon Prime. Is it worth your time, stay tuned.
Story & Screenplay
Set in Varanasi, The Last Color follows the tender bond of love between a street orphan and a widow. The story is extremely poignant and emotionally moving. The screenplay is water tight and doesn’t waste any time in getting the ball rolling. And along the way, it touches on certain taboos and customs which may still be prevalent in our society. It also successfully touches on a few concepts of patriarchy. But at no point does it get verbose. Instead the message is subtle and very well portrayed. If I have a minor criticism then the drama could have been a little more fleshed out especially towards the backend when certain scenes seem a little hurried. But it culminates in a moving finale that will fill you up with many emotions
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are subtle and to the point. If the drama doesn’t get too preachy and melodramatic, you can definitely attribute it to the writing. The BGM is melancholic and beautifully portrays the emotions. A special mention of the cinematography which is brilliant and wonderfully captures the Ganges. Chef turned debut director Vikas Khanna is pleasantly good. If not for some choppy editing(nothing major, only a few scenes), his direction really stands out brilliantly.
Performances
There are a host of actors that I was watching for the first time, some of them maybe non actors as well. But each one of them is brilliant! The two main protagonists are Neena Gupta as Noor and little Aqsa who plays Chhoti. Aqsa is confident and I was suprised at how many emotions can this little bundle of talent actually emote and that too successfully. And Neena Gupta is the soul of the movie. There is this motherly feeling that you get from her character and you also feel for her character. She is so brilliant that words aren’t enough to express her performance.
Conclusion
The Last Color is emotionally moving and heart touching. It has its heart in the right place which makes it an absolute must watch. Available on Amazon Prime and Highly Highly Highly Recommended.